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In the run up to Christmas nearly twice as many people are sleeping on the streets of Manchester than last year.

The final figure of 70 rough sleepers will be submitted to Government and is based on 46 people found sleeping outside and 24 people in the 27 tents counted – the other three tents were being used for storage. The figure last year was 43.

The former Hulme Library building and the former Beech Mount Children’s Home in Harpurhey are the first two buildings earmarked as overnight shelters for rough sleepers. These new buildings along with the other bed spaces opened up by the council in three buildings which had previously operated as shared houses will mean up to an extra 165 bed spaces will be available across the city for rough sleepers this winter.

Homelessness is a major priority for the council.
We cannot ignore this issue which is why we have already increased the number of bed spaces available to rough sleepers. And these statistics prove that the approach we are taking in opening up our empty buildings to house people who need shelter is the right one.

If we can get people off the streets we can provide access to specialist support and services as well as the help and assistance they need to become independent again and off the streets for good.

A charity set up to help the homeless is launching a campaign for people and businesses to Sponsor a Bed in a new building on Merseyside.
The idea is to provide accommodation and training or work to help people rebuild their lives and move on to live independently.
Victoria Grimes explains more